Two weeks into spring training, expectations are running high. Vinnie Catricala is cautiously hoping for a successful season, Anthony Vasquez is making a miraculous return to baseball, and Jesus Montero thinks he’s grasped the concept of running.

Mariners’ Vasquez just happy to be here after surviving life-threatening brain issue — Geoff Baker chronicles the extraordinary struggles of LHP Anthony Vasquez, who reached the brink of death while preparing for the 2013 season.

Jesus Montero Almost Knows How To Run — This is, sadly, exactly what it sounds like.

Corner Men — While prospects and journeymen battle for a spot on the Mariners’ 25-man roster, Mike Curto examines the likely candidates for the Tacoma Rainiers’ 2013 lineup. This time, he sheds some light on potential corner infielders, including Mike Jacobs, Alex Liddi, Vinnie Catricala, Rich Poythress, Nate Tenbrink, and Stefen Romero.

SEA Mariners Infield: Depth Chart Discussions — The team at FanGraphs is doing a phenomenal job of making early depth projections for the 2013 Mariners. Most recently, J.P. Breen tackled the M’s infield, but you can find discussions of the outfield, rotation, and bullpen here as well.

Vinnie Catricala tries to get back on fast track — After a lousy 2012, Vinnie Catricala is out to prove that he is, in fact, a better defender than a small cup of milk. Larry Stone gives us the full scoop on Vinnie’s return, with some heartfelt quotes to boot.

What have you read this week? Share it with us on Twitter or in the comments below!

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Mariners have many things to be grateful for: the health of their players, a minor league championship, and significant upgrades to the hardware at Safeco Field.

• Anthony Vasquez, a southpaw and pitching prospect in the Mariners’ system, recently received treatment for a brain tumor. Shannon Drayer has the full, miraculous story on MyNorthwest.com.
• On Opening Day 2013, the newly-shifted fences will not be the only change at Safeco Field. Plans are being made to install the largest HD screen in MLB, at 57′ by 201.5′. You can find a rendering of the new screen on the team’s website.
• Sorry, Mariners fans—Jack Zduriencik has reiterated that the team is likely out on Josh Hamilton. From Greg Johns:

“You never say never to anything,” Zduriencik said. “Don’t get me wrong. Even in the Prince thing, you never knew where it would end up and this one you don’t, either. But you kind of get an idea and feel. [...] So you always leave the door open, but in the end, you have to be realistic.”

• The Peoria Javelinas ran away with the 2012 Arizona Fall League championship title last weekend in a 4-3 showdown against the Salt River Rafters. Nick Franklin went 0-for-5, while Mike Zunino collected three singles and two RBI.
• The final results from the AFL’s five-week season:

Mike Zunino: .288/.337/.463, 23 H, 8 XBH, 15 RBI in 80 AB

Nick Franklin: .338/.422/.519, 26 H, 9 XBH, 22 RBI in 77 AB

Stefen Romero: .333/.375/.511, 15 H, 4 XBH, 9 RBI in 45 AB

Vinnie Catricala: .279/.329/.412, 19 H, 5 XBH, 13 RBI in 68 AB

Carson Smith: 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11 H, 4 BB, 18 SO in 15.0 IP

Logan Bawcom: 5.27 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 16 H, 5 BB, 11 SO in 13.2 IP

James Paxton: 5.68 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 14 H, 6 BB, 16 SO in 12.2 IP

Bobby LaFromboise: 5.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 13 H, 4 BB, 17 SO in 13.0 IP

• Last, but certainly not least, the Mariners have released a DVD commemorating Felix Hernandez’s perfect game. You can pick up a copy of “The King of Perfection” at any Mariners team store for just $10.

While the Mariners enjoy an off day before hitting the road in Detroit, their minor-league affiliates are all in full swing. Let’s check in on the progress made this week:

Tacoma Rainiers
Current record: 7-11

• The Rainiers are in the middle of a four-game series against the Fresno Grizzlies. Over the past six games, Tacoma has only taken one win.
• On Thursday, backup catcher Adam Moore landed on the 7-day DL after surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee.
• LHP Anthony Vasquez placed second in the Pacific Coast League pitching leaderboards, with a 0.87 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in 3 starts and 20.2 IP this season.
• Yesterday, Mike Carp made his second start in left field after 7 games as DH. He went 0-for-7 with 3 strikeouts against the Grizzlies.

Jackson Generals
Current record: 11-7

• Danny Hultzen picked up his first win of the year against the Mississippi Braves, with a quality start of 6.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Baseball America ranks Hultzen at No. 2 on their Prospect Hot Sheet.
• James Paxton is hanging onto a 4.15 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 4 starts, with 15 hits, 14 walks, and 22 strikeouts in 17.1 IP. He struggled through his last start against the Huntsville Spurs, giving up 7 hits, 7 runs, and 5 walks in 2.1 innings.
• Taijuan Walker boasts the lowest ERA (2.25) and WHIP (0.64) of Jackson’s starters. He has yet to take a loss, even after the Generals fell 2-3 to the Spurs yesterday on a walkoff home run by second baseman Scooter Gennett.

High Desert Mavericks
Current record: 11-6

• Third baseman Steven Proscia hit three home runs for the Mavericks on Thursday against the Inland Empire 66ers. Two came against lefty starter Max Russell, and the final dinger was hit off RHP Baudilio Lopez. By the end of the night, the Mavericks were up 14-8, and Proscia had 3 runs and 5 RBIs under his belt.
• Four Mavericks top the California League batting charts, including third baseman Stefen Romero (.394/.414/.561, 26-for-66) and catcher Jack Marder (.386/.449/.571, 27-for-70).
• Today, High Desert opens an 8-game road trip in San Jose. The SJ Giants currently lead the California League North division with 12 wins and 6 losses.

Clinton LumberKings
Current record: 6-11

• Despite a 2-game winning streak, the LumberKings are scraping the bottom of the Midwest League Western division. Their 6-11 record is matched by the Fort Wayne TinCaps and just above the 4-13 Lake County Captains.
• Jordan Shipers holds the lowest ERA (1.04) in Clinton’s pitching staff, putting up a 1.15 WHIP and collecting 16 hits, 2 earned runs, and 15 strikeouts in 3 starts and 17.1 IP.

For up-to-date info on the Mariners’ minor league clubs, swing by MiLB.com.